Calihan Travel Grants

About

The Calihan Travel Grants provide financial assistance to graduate students and seminarians who have been selected to (1) present at or attend a conference relevant to themes promoted by the Acton Institute or (2) who wish to travel to engage in research relevant to themes promoted by the Acton Institute. Such principles include recognition of human dignity, the importance of the rule of law, limited government, religious liberty, and freedom in economic life. Grants are also open to graduate students and seminarians who need to travel to and perform research at archives, libraries, or educational conferences that involve the above themes.

Deadlines

The Travel Grant selection process is ongoing. Applications must be received at least six weeks prior to the travel date. No application will be considered for funding retroactively.

Eligibility

Awards are open to current seminarians or graduate students in theology, philosophy, religion, history, law, politics, economics, or in related fields.

Strong academic performance is essential.

Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in the themes of the Acton Institute.

Candidates must display the potential to contribute to the advancement of a free and virtuous society.

Awards are open to all qualified persons irrespective of age, race, sex, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, religious affiliation, or disability.

Details

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed and recipients selected by the research staff of the Acton Institute. Award decisions by the Acton Institute are final and not subject to appeal.

Agreement

Recipients must respond to an award notification within one month and adhere to the grant conditions listed below.

Grant Amounts

Travel Grants do not exceed USD$3,000, but typically range from USD$500-$1,000. Grant amounts take into account the costs of travel, lodging, registration, and other associated conference or research expenses. Other sources of funding are also considered.

Duration

Travel Grants are not renewable but all applicants are eligible to re-apply.

Requirements

Completed application form including the following information:

Stated purpose of travel.

Abstract of paper/research (if applicable).

Description of how one’s conference paper, research travel, or conference attendance is connected to themes promoted by the Acton Institute.

Conditions

Report Due

Submit a 1-2 page report documenting the activities, research, and results of your travel by the predetermined deadline. The report should include comments for the grant’s donors about how the grant influenced you, your education, and your career.

Funds Use

These funds are to be used for the research or travel purposes indicated on your application. If you are not able to use these funds for the stated purpose(s), all of the grant money must be immediately returned.

Acknowledgement

Any published work drawn out of the research conducted during your travel must be submitted and given by-line acknowledgement to the Acton Institute and the Calihan Travel Grant program.

Publicity

The Acton Institute may publicize a grantee’s award and has permission to identify him/her as a Calihan Travel Grant recipient.

More Information

Legal

All qualified individuals will be considered for the Calihan Travel Grant program, without regard to race, sex, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, religious affiliation, or disability. Award decisions by the Acton Institute are final and are not subject to appeal. Recipients must comply with any applicable tax regulations.

Submission

The online application should be completed in English. No faxed or mailed entries will be accepted.

Selectivity

Calihan Travel Grants are typically not extended to those students who are not scholars or future religious leaders, or whose work is not connected to the mission of the Acton Institute. Those students whose work is closely tied to that of the Acton Institute have a greater likelihood of receiving a Travel Grant.

Performance Assessment

Like the vast majority of universities, award programs, and research institutes, the Acton Institute does not enter into discussions with unsuccessful applicants concerning the particular reasons for their denial.

Visa Application (if applicable)

Applying for or receiving a grant does not guarantee that you will be provided with a travel visa. Nor should an award notification be used as a substitute for a visa for entry into another country. You may, however, use a grant letter as a supporting reference in applying for the appropriate visa from the relevant consulate or embassy.

Supplemental Funding

The Calihan Travel Grants are designed to be supplemental in nature. As such, when planning your travel, we encourage applicants to secure multiple sources of funding.

Limited Funding

Since this is a highly competitive program in which many worthy applicants participate, no one should presume funding. We attempt to be as generous as possible in making awards, but also must convey that funds are limited and demand is high.